Abstract: The present paper proposes a theoretical model of institutional quality of a higher education institution (HEI) which, in addition to the internal dimensions of quality, incorporates also the external dimension, i.e. the outcomes dimension. This dimension has been neglected by the quality standards and models examined in our paper. Furthermore, the standards and models analyzed consider stakeholders as one of the quality factors of a HEI. The stakeholders perspective is seen as a lens through which stakeholders define, control and assess the quality of a HEI. The proposed model therefore gives stakeholders greater significance compared to the dimensions of institutional quality of a HEI. The model has been validated from the employers perspective. On the basis of 339 completed questionnaires or a 39.74 % response rate we concluded that outcomes constitute the most important dimension of institutional quality of a HEI from the perspective of employers in Slovenia. The outcomes dimension is followed, in descending order, by the non-financial resources and inputs, sustainable development, value chain, and, finally, the financial resources and inputs dimensions. The results of the study have shown that of the 44 quality factors of a HEI the following data are of key importance to employers: information on the participation of students in practical training, achievements of graduates at the workplace, implementation of a HEIs research achievements in practice, graduate employability, and a HEIs responsiveness to the demands and changes in the environment.Found in: osebiKeywords:higher education institutions, institutional quality, quality management, outcomes, SloveniaPublished: 15.10.2013; Views: 1817; Downloads: 74Full text (0,00 KB)

Abstract: The present paper examines metaphors in the discourse of elections from a cross-linguistic perspective. The methodological framework brings together the conceptual theorY of metaphor, as one of the most prominent models within cognitive linguistics, and Critical Discourse AnalYsis. In addition, a cross-linguistic approach to analYsing metaphors in discourse is suggested following Kövecsesʼ (2005) criteria for cultural and linguistic universalitY and variation in metaphor. The analYsis is based on a corpus of newspaper articles related to the elections held in 2008 in Slovenia and those held in the USA in the same Year. The results suggest that while there is a certain degree of universalitY in terms of the predominant conceptual metaphors, there are also important variations between the two languages and cultures in question, such as the ubiquitY of metaphoricallY motivated terminologY and election jargon identified in (American) English texts.Found in: osebiKeywords:metafore, kritična analiza, volitve, diskurzPublished: 15.10.2013; Views: 1950; Downloads: 13Full text (0,00 KB)

Abstract: The present paper proposes a theoretical model of institutional quality of a higher education institution (HEI) which, in addition to the internal dimensions of quality, incorporates also the external dimension, i.e. the outcomes dimension. This dimension has been neglected by the quality standards and models examined in our paper. Furthermore, the standards and models analyzed consider stakeholders as one of the quality factors of a HEI. The stakeholders perspective is seen as a lens through which stakeholders define, control and assess the quality of a HEI. The proposed model therefore gives stakeholders greater significance compared to the dimensions of institutional quality of a HEI. The model has been validated from the employers perspective. On the basis of 339 completed questionnaires or a 39.74 % response rate we concluded that outcomes constitute the most important dimension of institutional quality of a HEI from the perspective of employers in Slovenia. The outcomes dimension is followed, in descending order, by the non-financial resources and inputs, sustainable development, value chain, and, finally, the financial resources and inputs dimensions. The results of the study have shown that of the 44 quality factors of a HEI the following data are of key importance to employers: information on the participation of students in practical training, achievements of graduates at the workplace, implementation of a HEIs research achievements in practice, graduate employability, and a HEIs responsiveness to the demands and changes in the environment.Found in: osebiKeywords:higher education institutions, institutional quality, quality management, outcomes, SloveniaPublished: 15.10.2013; Views: 1705; Downloads: 57Full text (0,00 KB)